Chevron sees new oil shine in Brazil Frade field

RIO DE JANEIRO-Brazilian regulators and officials from the local unit of US oil major Chevron Corp CVX + 0.23% Saturday confirmed that discovered a new oil shine
during a flyover of the Frade offshore oil field.

The gloss of a kilometre and "had a volume of half a litre" expanded, said Chevron in the using statement. The shine was in the area where the company a new filter on the bottom of the sea had identified.

The leak is the second right to strike field Frade since November, when a drilling accident an estimated 2,400 to 3,000 barrels of crude oil leak into the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil's coast of similar leaks caused in the ocean floor.

Chevron and local managers of the company are a $ 11 billion faced criminal action of Rio de Janeiro Federal Prosecutor, as well as heavy fines from regulatory agencies in connection with the spill. Brazil's national petroleum Agency, or ANP, also suspended Chevron drilling rights in this country.

Late Friday, a federal judge granted an injunction blocking 17 of employees of the company, including to leave Chevron Brasil President George buck, Brazil without permission, while the trial continues. Chevron Brasil, but said that neither the company nor the executives of a judicial complaint in Brazil have been formally notified.

"Any judicial decision will be respected by the company and its employees." We the company and its employees will defend, "Said Chevron in the statement."

The latest problem for Chevron Brazil comes operations after the company asked this week stop permission brightness, Frade, which some had produced 61,000 barrels a day. Chevron has the requirement of the "geological complexity" of the Frade, the recoverable study holds reserves of between 200 million and 300 million barrels of oil.

The first seeping March 4, with Chevron notification of the Brazilian authorities March 13, was discovered, the company said. Oil from seeping through specially built containment devices are recorded, Chevron said Saturday. Additional containment devices are installed on demand, added to the company.

The ANP, Brazil's marine and environmental regulators said in a statement Saturday are monitoring and accompanying Chevron efforts to reduce the latest incident the oil shine with mechanical dispersion. Includes usually shoot mechanical dispersion water jets of the sparkle, and testing to break boats over the stain until the oil droplets.

Local authorities and Chevron officials meet early next week discuss the note said the incident with the brilliance of additional flights, to be monitored.

Brazil file charges against Chevron executives for new oil leak

SAO PAULO - Brazilian prosecutors Saturday she said file criminal complaint against 17 executives of Chevron Corp. and drilling contractor Transocean Ltd. for a new oil leak near the city are the offshore well, where late last year spilled at least 110,000 gallon (approximately 416.000).

Affected George buck, Chief Operating Officer for Chevron include Brazilian League, federal prosecutors spokesman Marcelo del Negri said by telephone.

He said prosecutors charges including "Environmental crime" in a Federal Court would continue next week file, but he no information.

As buck he didn't know how many of the executives worked for California-based Chevron and how many for Transocean, the drilling contractor for the well where the leak occurred last year.

Prosecutors also said the Court to prohibit the 17 from leaving the country, he.

A spokeswoman for Chevron in Brazil said that the company had no comment because it had not the decision. You asked to be identified in accordance with the internal rules.

On Thursday, Chevron confirmed that it a "small new oil seep" and that it worked, to collect the crude oil.

The size of the new leaks is known as ANP explain Brazil's national petroleum unknown, agency, said that the leak was found, because an oil spill at sea appeared.

A spokesperson for ANP said the new leak is "not out of the well;" It is sealed. It seems on the seabed in the vicinity of wells, of fissures come "where the leak occurred last year." She spoke on condition of anonymity, say that she were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Chevron has ANP for the access for all production activities simply asked, says, that he would like to perform a "comprehensive technical study" better understand the Lakes, where it is drilling.

IBAMA, Brazil's environmental protection agency said in a statement on its website, up to 20 March, "detailed" Chevron information on measures to reduce the environmental impact has written the new leaks.

The new leak is another challenge for plans, ensure the offshore oil extract, that Brazil has seen in recent years. It is estimated that at least 50 billion barrels of oil off Brazil's coast, the greatest discoveries in America over three decades lie.

Oil began leaking cracks on the ocean floor at the site of a Chevron assessment good last November 7, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) off the northeastern coast of Rio de Janeiro State. About two weeks later, said ANP, the leak under control.

However, experts warned that there was a high risk of oil seepage continue.

Chevron was then said that the spill occurred because it underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir.

He said that crude oil caused to rush to a bore and finally escape into the surrounding sea floor. The oil leaked by at least seven narrow cracks on the ocean floor, at 160 feet (50 meters) of the head good.

Work on the field of Frade in the Campos Basin the leaks occurred under Chevron "largest investments," according to the website of the company.

The field produces close to 62,000 barrels of oil per day.

Chevron natural gas discovery offshore Australia

Chevron reported a natural gas discovery by Australian subsidiary in the Exmouth plateau the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia.

Gas found well about 243 feet (74) of the net pay of the satyr-3. The fountain located 113 miles (182 km) North of Exmouth in the approval WA-374-P and was of water to a depth of 13.369 (4.075 m) in 1.124 3.688 m drilled.

"Satyr 3 of our is thirteenth offshore discovery in Australia since mid-2009," says George Kirkland, Vice President, Chevron Corporation.

"This latest discovery the quality and lasting value strengthens our Australian exploration of leasing companies in the Carnarvon basin."

Chevron Australian subsidiary is the operator of the area permit WA-374-P and holds a 50 per cent, with Exxon Mobil and shell each hold 25 per cent.

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Chevron natural gas discovery offshore Western Australia

Posted at: December 15, 2011

Chevron reported a natural gas discovery by Australian subsidiary in the Exmouth plateau the Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia.

"Find Vos-1 of our Zwolfter offshore discovery in Australia since mid-2009," said George Kirkland, Vice President, Chevron Corporation.

"Our successful drilling program offshore Western Australia shows Chevron global exploration."

Vos-1 is also about occurred 453 feet (138) net gas pay. Located the well was drilled 1484 meter of water in the field permit WA-439-P about 186 miles (300 km) of Exmouth on the western coast of Australia, in 4869 to a depth of 12.461 (3798m).

"Our ongoing exploration success of our Australian raw materials base further underpins our drive as a leading supplier of liquefied natural gas markets and gas to Western Australia, to", said melody Meyer, President, Chevron Asia Pacific exploration and production.

Chevron Australian subsidiary is the operator of WA-439-P and holds a 50 per cent, with shell development (Australia) Pty Ltd holds the remaining 50%.

Written by Richard Price, editor, energyme.com. Follow energyme.com on Twitter @ Energyme. Information provided by companies or PR agencies, are responsible for the content. Send press releases in Word format to richard@energyme.com

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Intervene plan to pursue Chevron in other countries

The latest salvo come just one day after an Ecuadorian judge ordered Chevron, one of the largest environmental awards at all to pay suggests that the dispute between villagers and oil executives, 1993 began, yet long not past.

The case stems from oil pollution in the Ecuadorian rainforest, but Chevron does not work and has no significant assets of the country. It was Texaco the Chevron take a merger in 2001, was accused of widespread environmental damage taken, before the off of Ecuador in the early 1990s.

Chevron has much larger operations elsewhere in Latin America and the applicant pursues the company throughout the region could open strategy a controversial new phase in the event - an Ecuadorian political relations with its neighbours to test and would include some Washington's most prominent lobbyists and lawyers.

Consultant for the plaintiff said obvious candidates, but you was recognized that it would be easy Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela to follow Chevron assets. Venezuela is for example, a close ally of the Ecuadorian and its President Hugo Chavez is a frequent critic of the United States. But Chevron enjoys extensive operations in Venezuela and warmer ties with Mr. Chavez government as just about every other American companies.

The applicants also fight an uphill damage in the United States collect at least immediately, since the judge in New York this month temporary enforcement of Ecuador Awards prevents. However, legal adviser, said they were willing to try to damage in the United States as well as to collect.

A confidential memo, prepared by the Washington law firm Patton Boggs under court order recently put the plaintiff strategy which use a European industrial espionage company to Chevron assets around the world to examine.

"The fact that Chevron play ball in Venezuela has agreed to during the company's peers are unfavourable contractual clauses that universally rejected imposed by the Chavez Government may difficulties, interpret", said the memo, codenamed "Invictus." "However, Chavez populist Government remains a natural ally" the plaintiff.

Memo lawyers identified the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, Angola, Canada and some other countries in which Chevron has significant assets as potential targets. In the Philippines it hit consultant for Patton Boggs, who recently waded in the crisis in Egypt as a delegate for the Obama administration even by using the services of the Frank G. Wisner, former diplomat and Foreign Minister.

Citing the Invictus memo, Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York argues that the plaintiff wanted a "worldwide, full - court press", a settlement against a company to extract significant meaning in the provision of energy of the United States economy.

Chevron said it wanted to pay a cent. "We want to resist enforcement search everywhere, where the plaintiff to take, what we perceive to be a fraudulent judgment", Kent Robertson, a Chevron spokesman said.

Temporary protection, issued by judge Kaplan Mr. Robertson was a decision by a panel of international referee in the Hague that the company was granted a preliminary injunction that may block the execution of the judgment.

But Ecuadorian attorneys said she themselves under the jurisdiction of the American Court or the arbitrator did not.

With reference to the arbitration, a lawyer, Pablo Fajardo, said: "This is part of the Chevron legal strategy to delay and obstruct."

Duncan Hollis, Associate Dean which Temple University law school, said, it was logical that the plaintiff to take their fight to other countries in the region because "there are some similarities in Latin American legal system." But, Mr. Hollis added, "There is no international law as one court to enforce the judgments from other nation's Court."

Because now the case in the Ecuadorian courts move forward. Be three judges both appeals. The Amazon Coalition intends that amount of damages, appeal, appeal to the entire decision while Chevron.

"I don't know if we will be broadcasting" our legal argument, HR. Robertson said. But he added: "It is the illegitimate nature of the ruling." "The scientific evidence shows that a meritless result."

The final appeal will go to a national court of appeal, a process that could take months. Then the battle for several countries can move at a time. Consultant for the villagers and forest tribes, said they hoped to extract Chevron until you reach the final judgment money from many countries.

The judgement of the impact is already felt in Ecuador and also as a cautionary tale of environmental and legal aftermath of oil production. Alberto Acosta, a former oil Minister in Ecuador, called the ruling "a historical precedent."

It is "Memory", that we ourselves from the irresponsible activities of extraction companies to defend both oil and mining, said Mr. Acosta.

Simon Romero reported from Caracas and Clifford Krauss from Houston. Johannes Schwartz contributed reporting from New York and Irene Caselli from Quito, Ecuador.

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Chevron digging in Ecuadorian decision

Protesters outside Chevron keep headquarters photos of the Ecuadorian people who say they were affected by the pollution of dumped toxic waste Tuesday.

In November 2009 Philadelphia lawyer suing Chevron Corp. of oil pollution in Ecuador had some advice for his colleagues on the case: now may be the time to settle.Joseph Kohn, said in a letter to two Ecuadorian legal team members, he thought that the company may be protracted dispute between $700 million and $1.2 billion for convinced rules could be. Chevron CEO David O'Kane was Reilly, about to retire and a lawyer working for the company based in suburban San Francisco Kohn told that O'Reilly didn't want to pass the suit to his successor.Operation for a larger settlement, Kohn wrote, would probably not work. "I think Chevron for the next 10 or 20 years if necessary, fight before paying a settlement in the billion dollar range," wrote Kohn, November 10, 2009, letter to lawyer Pablo Fajardo and Luis Yanza Organizer. Kohn, whose Firma had spent $7 million bankrolling of the lawsuit claimed also against settlement turned talks in the hope that the Ecuadorian judge, hearing the case eventually would exclude their benefit. Chevron, he wrote could possibilities for years pay to avoid.Kohn's colleagues and your customers in Ecuador rejected his advice and Kohn finally left the case is to pursue talks partly due to disagreements about the settlement. A spokesman for Kohn fell next comment on Tuesday.Now that intervene Sue Chevron won $ 9.5 billion against the company - a substantial sum have a decision in principle but far behind the $27 billion to $113 billion you sought.A judge in the Ecuadorian town of Lago Agrio ruled Monday that Chevron to clean a part of the Amazon rain forest where Texaco, drilled bought by Chevron in 2001 oil before decades numbers should be. Monday's judgment orders Chevron over $8 billion for environmental health and the clean-Up to pay. Judge Nicolas ZAMBRANO also $ 864 million awarded to the Amazon defense Coalition, a group representing the plaintiffs.But Chevron has vowed not to pay, and temporary order powers has the courts in the United States and Europe convinced block enforcement of the judgment. The company has a counterclaim against the plaintiff in the United States by it you presented fraud and extortion.The wisdom of the plaintiff decision not to push a around $1 billion settlement to be seen. "We know this years could last", Juan Pablo Saenz, Member of the plaintiff said legal team in Ecuador. "This is not our customers like to spoil-, we are fully aware go."He added that proposed by Kohn settlement amount too low to provide all necessary renovation. Chevron, for its part, shows no interest in resolving now.

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